Smoking, drinking, dieting, post nasal drip and even dehydration or maybe it's that yummy meal you just had with all the garlic.

Mouth wash and gum can mask the problem but it won't get rid of the causes.

Eating the right foods can help.

"Spinach is probably the healthiest green vegetable out there," nutritionist David Grotto said. "There's some compounds in spinach that have been found to decrease the bacteria that causes plaque, gingivitis and bad bread."

Grotto wrote a book "The Best Things You Can Eat". Yogurt, cherries and apples can all keep your breath smelling fresh.

If you're worried about chronic bad breath , maybe it's time to see a doctor.

Grotto said don't rely on the hand breath test to determine if you have bad breath because it doesn't work. Just ask a close friend and reach for the mints for the short term.